EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea stars fail to clear Terry
Published 23:00 26/10/11 By Martin Fricker
John Terry’s battle to clear his name over his alleged racism rant has stumbled after his Chelsea teammates failed to come to his defence.
The England captain had hoped his fellow Blues would rally round him as the FA launched an investigation into Sunday’s heated on-pitch clash with QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.
But they are apparently worried about getting involved in the deepening row, as the only person so far to support him publicly is the club's manager, Andre Villas-Boas.
A source said: “There has been no word from them. They’ve not said anything.”
TV cameras appeared to film Terry, 30, uttering “black c**t” as he walked away from his bust-up with Ferdinand, 26, during the ill-tempered west London derby.
The £170,000-a-week defender does not deny using the words, but insists they were taken out of context as he simply asked Ferdinand if he thought he had made the racist remark.
He was hoping his team-mates overheard the exchange and could clear his name.
But their hesitation in coming forward could be devastating as he faces being stripped of the England captaincy if the claims are proven.
FA chiefs launched a probe when QPR filed a complaint after speaking to Ferdinand on Tuesday. Police are also investigating.
Chelsea star Ashley Cole, who helped diffuse Sunday’s on-pitch clash, could support club captain Terry but has yet to come forward publicly.
Anton Ferdinand shook his head when asked about the row on Wednesday while joining football legend Pele at the launch of his new clothing range in London.
